The national project 'Let's color the places of mental health' starts from Milan, promoted by Lundbeck Italia and dedicated to patients, to make Mental Health Centers more functional and welcoming.
In Italy there are 9 million citizens who suffer from mental disorders and the project aims to 'redesign' healthcare facilities.
Depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance addictions are some of the main psychiatric pathologies.
But out of over 9 million people affected, only around 777 thousand are followed by Mental Health Departments.
Stigma and underdiagnosis still keep too many people away from care facilities.
Thus, the national project to rethink local care spaces to make them more suitable for healthcare activities starts from Milan.
The initiative, presented in Milan, will travel across Italy, involving other Mental Health Centres.
The first is the CPS-4 in the Lombardy capital.
"The WHO has recorded an increase of around 30% in cases of depression and anxiety following the pandemic - explains Bernardo Dell'Osso, professor of Psychiatry at the University of Milan and Director of the Department of Mental Health and Addictions Asst Fatebenefratelli - Sacco -. A good part of mental pathologies begins before adulthood, with the need for monitoring and continuity of care. Despite these numbers, there is still a strong social stigma."
Mental health, adds Lamberto Bertolé, councilor for Welfare and Health of the Municipality of Milan, "has always been underestimated because it is considered second-class and not guaranteed like physical health. Overcoming this prejudice must be a priority".
The initiative envisages, based on the needs of the centers involved, a redefinition of the spaces in line with the care paths offered, including small renovation works, with also the supply of furnishings and furniture, and an embellishment of the spaces thanks to the installation of works taken from 'People In Mind', a graphic arts competition promoted by Lundbeck Italia to raise awareness in society about overcoming prejudices through the universal language of art.
"Having mental health specialists available close to home and in welcoming spaces is essential for the treatment process", says Enrico Frisone, Social and Health Director of Fatebenefratelli-Sacco.
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